Northwoods Table Talk

  Lection for Trinity X 1 Samuel 6:1-19        1 Corinthians 9:1-23   Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. After the “First Section” of the Catechism, what has come to be called “the Six Chief Parts,” we come to the second section. This section is entitled, “Daily Prayers” and is supposed to be just that, instruction on ho we should pray.   It is true that too many people do not know what or how to pray, thinking the ex corde prayer (from the heart prayer) is what they are supposed to do. Well, maybe not – especially if being afraid to pray because we do not know what to pray, keeps us from praying altogether.   In “Daily Prayers” Luther instructs how to pray in the morning, evening, and before meals (asking a blessing) and after meals (returning thanks).   I pray you mark this devotion, or cut and paste it so that you can use it each day to instruct you in your...

Lection for Friday Trinity IX 2 Samuel 1:1-27        1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Friday. Knowing the perfect and holy Law of God revealed to us in the three persons of the Trinity to Whom we come in prayer, we now rejoice in the gifts that Christ purchased, and delivers to us. It is by the lips of pastors that Christ grants His authority to forgive the sins of those who confess their sins, and trust in the work of Christ. Luther also gives a brief form for private confession. At a later date, Luther also wrote of the “Office of the Keys” and this too was added to later versions of the Catechis, Today’s devotion...

Lection for Thursday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 31:1-13       1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Thursday. Knowing the perfect and holy Law of God revealed to us in the three persons of the Trinity to Whom we come in prayer, we now rejoice in the gifts that Christ purchased, and delivers to us – today remembering and rejoicing in the miraculous waters of Holy Baptism. Today’s devotion is from Luther's Small Catechism The Sacrament of Holy Baptism AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD First What is Baptism? Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s comma...

Lection for Wednesday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 28:3-25        1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Tuesday. Monday we considered the perfect and holy Law of God. Tuesday we considered the work of God as revealed in the three persons of the Trinity. Today we consider that our God desires us to come to Him in prayer, led to pray according to His will, knowing that He will indeed grant all our petitions prayed in His will. Today’s devotion is from Luther's Small Catechism   The Lord’s Prayer AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy nam...

Lection for Tuesday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 26:1-25        1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Tuesday. Monday we considered the perfect and holy Law of God. Today we consider the work of God as revealed in the three persons of the Trinity. Today’s devotion is from Luther's Small Catechism   The Creed AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD The First Article: Creation I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my memb...

Lection for Monday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 25:23-44       1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Luther’s  Small Catechism  was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the  Six Chief Parts  was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Monday. Today’s devotion is from Luther's  Small Catechism The Ten Commandments AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH THEM IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD The First Commandment You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. The Second Commandment You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but ca...

Lection for Thursday after Trinity VIII 1 Samuel 20:1-23        Acts 28:16-31 The Lord’s Supper is the 5 th part of the Catechism. We have considered the first two points Luther suggests we consider: "what is the sacrament?" and, "what are its benefits?" What remains is considering "who is to receive it?" This we will pass on to you in the next couple days. Let us hear what Luther says.  Large Catechism —— Fifth Part: Of Sacrament of the Altar Of the Sacrament of the Altar. 33] Thus we have the entire Sacrament, both as to what it is in itself and as to what it brings and profits. Now we must also see who is the person that receives this power and benefit. That is answered briefly, as we said above of Baptism and often elsewhere: Whoever believes it has what the words declare and bring. For they are not spoken or proclaimed to stone and wood, but to those who hear them, to whom He says: 34]Take and eat, etc. And because He offers and prom...

Lection for Wednesday after Trinity VIII 1 Samuel 19:1-15       Acts 28:1-15 The Lord’s Supper is the 5 th part of the Catechism. Luther speaks of three points in regard to this sacrament. It is my intention to use those three points to give us three days of readings on it. We have looked at at the first point, the essence of the Sacrament, now we move to the second. Let us hear what Luther says.  Large Catechism —— Fifth Part: Of Sacrament of the Altar Of the Sacrament of the Altar. 20] Thus we have briefly the first point which relates to the essence of this Sacrament. Now examine further the efficacy and benefits on account of which really the Sacrament was instituted; which is also its most necessary part, that we may know what we should seek and obtain there. 21] Now this is plain and clear from the words just mentioned: This is My body and blood, given and shed for you, for the remission of sins. 22] Briefly that is as much as to say: For this...

Lection for Tuesday after Trinity VIII 1 Samuel 18:10-30        Acts 27:27-44 The Lord’s Supper is the 5 th part of the Catechism. Luther speaks of three points in regard to this sacrament. It is my intention to use those three points to give us three days of readings on it. Let us hear what Luther says.  Large Catechism —— Fifth Part: Of Sacrament of the Altar Of the Sacrament of the Altar. 1] In the same manner as we have heard regarding Holy Baptism, we must speak also concerning the other Sacrament, namely, these three points: What is it? What are its benefits? and, Who is to receive it? And all these are established by the words by which Christ has instituted it, 2] and which every one who desires to be a Christian and go to the Sacrament should know. For it is not our intention to admit to it and to administer it to those who know not what they seek, or why they come. The words, however, are these: 3] Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same nig...